Chinese Paintings

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Chinese Paintings

Taoist Influences

The Tao (pronounced "dow") is understood by Taoists as a mysterious, dynamic and creative force that is beyond definition. Paintings, have long been felt to be the most receptive medium for the expression of the essential, indivisible, Tao, and are considered to be far superior to either speech or the written word. The Taoist way in art is to gradually attune the onlooker through the particular inner rhythms of nature to the essence of the great Tao itself.

Chinese paintings of landscapes have been particularly influenced by Taoist attitudes and ideas - not least of which is their admiration of nature and natural processes. The often deeply eroded mountain ranges with swirling mists clearly expose the workings of the principle of change. For the Taoists the solid-seeming mountains are as subject to the "winds of Tao" as the more obviously moving mists, clouds and water.

The Taoist inspired painter aims to present a view of the world that is both satisfying and spiritually refreshing. This is achieved by creating a subtle harmony of opposites, a balancing of yin and yang, within the painting itself, the effect of which is beautiful, relaxing and potentially transforming.

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